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Stella Lee

Apologies, regrets and prayers came from the King Roger's owner and pilot, Rogelio Alenzuela and his nephew Romeo Parcon, from behind bars in Manila yesterday.

 'I want to tell the Hong Kong people that I'm very sorry,' said Alenzuela, 52.

 'Please excuse me for the accident.

 'I often pray for the dead, hoping their spirits will go to heaven.'  Despite a licence which allowed the King Roger to carry 17 passengers, the operators had accepted 40 passengers about five times previously.

 Parcon, also in the custody of the Western District Police, echoed his uncle's sorrow. 'I want to tell the Hong Kong people that I'm very sorry about the accident,' the 24-year-old said.

 Both have been charged with negligence causing multiple deaths and are due to appear in court next week.

 The maximum penalty is understood to be 18 years in jail.



Arrested pair offer apologies, prayers